Leadership Training & Coaching
Be an empowered leader.
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You want to be a leader worthy of being followed. But if you’re like most (good) leaders, you know there’s room for improvement. Whether you figure a little professional development can’t hurt or are experiencing full-fledged imposter syndrome, we can help.
You can choose to dive right into one-on-one leadership coaching with our seasoned coaches, but we almost always recommend kicking off your growth by enrolling in our signature program, the Empowered Leader Program. This 16-session, in-person course (with optional add-on coaching) doesn’t just give you tools and skills to better manage your team. It helps you create a consistent environment where your team can function on a whole other level.
“I have at least one ‘ah ha’ moment each week!”
– Lyssa
FREE TOOL
Assess Leadership Readiness
Measure, score, and interpret who is ready for leadership development training.
Here's how the program works.
LEARN
Participate in a session.
Join leaders from a variety of industries every other week for an interactive, three-hour training session where we'll unravel 16 topics critical to leaders' success. All sessions are held in our 4,000-square-foot riverfront property (right outside the hustle and bustle of Grand Rapids).
APPLY
Practice what you learn.
You know how once you see something, you can't unsee it? In the same way, you won't be able to ignore opportunities to experiment! Expect your homework to feel a whole lot more like "get to" than "have to."
ADJUST
Get one-on-one feedback.
While you can take the course without one-on-one coaching, this cherry on top takes learning to the next level. With this value-packed add-on, you'll meet with an instructor between sessions to get blunt about what's really happening with your team.
Then, we repeat the process for each new topic!
The Empowered Leader program is broken into two parts.
Scheduling can be tough. To make it easier, we split the Empowered Leader program into two parts that you can book separately or all at once. Here are the modules we cover in Empowered Leader I, the first eight sessions of the program.
Foundational Themes
Understand why psychological safety is the non-negotiable, core ingredient to high performance and healthy culture.
Developing Others
Compare multipliers (who bring out the best behaviors & ideas) and diminishers (who shut down intelligence, creativity, and energy).
Explore the mindsets and practices that stop unhelpful patterns in their tracks and develop habits that lead to growth and empowerment.
Understand how leaders can successfully navigate the flood of decision-making & problem-solving in a world of ambiguity.
Explore the neuroscience of curiosity, and learn how to activate it to foster learning, connection, and innovation.
Using DISC and the 12 Driving Forces, gain greater awareness of your own superpowers, how to notice those of others, and areas ripe for conflict and connection.
Develop effective patterns of communicating with candor and support healthy “creative abrasion” that leads to innovation, creativity, and trust.
Implement structured thinking to help you identify priorities and get more of the right things done individually and throughout the team.
Here's what we cover next.
The following modules are covered in Empowered Leader II, the second eight sessions of the program.
Uncover feelings that lead to unproductive behaviors, like holding back, procrastination, self-sabotage, and burnout (in yourself and in those you lead).
Explore the mindsets, practices, and commitments needed individually & collectively to get work done well, on time, and without conflict or drama.
Make sense of failure from a neurobiological perspective, and understand how it impacts the way a team learns, innovates, and collaborates.
Review methods on how to create a feedback-rich culture that enables real-time learning, builds trust, and creates a strong connection with your team.
Discover how to listen deeply, probe for the issue under the issue, and ask great questions to unlock the potential of your employee or team.
Break the cycles of frustration, conflict, and stagnation by learning how to leverage the many polarities in our complex world.
Identify roadblocks that are standing in the way of the changes you most want and need. Then, finally embark on a realistic plan to overcome them.
Articulate the transformation that has unfolded throughout the course, and complete a personal development & action plan for moving forward.
Want the coaching but not the course? We offer that, too. This button is for you →
Before you enroll, you might be wondering...
Who teaches the program?
Empowered Leader I & II are taught by Thought Design founder, Denise McClennen, and business partner, Tara Colvin. You can read about the extensive experience of both instructors in their bios.
How much time will the program take?
Empowered Leader I & II each meet in person at Thought Design for three hours every other week for a total of 16 sessions, or around 50 hours of instructional time. Homework is naturally integrated into your work life and should not require additional dedicated time. If you choose to enhance your course participation with one-on-one coaching, you can expect to add a 60-minute virtual coaching session between each in-person training.
When is the next course being offered?
The next Empowered Leader I course begins on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Join us at Thought Design as we meet on the first and third week of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a total of eight in-person sessions.
October 23, 2025
November 6, 2025
November 20, 2025
December 4, 2025
Is there a virtual version of this program?
Yes! View more information about our virtual Empowered Leader course here.
What if I have to miss a session?
Have a conflict with one of the sessions? No worries! We use Owl technology to record each session, so you can easily catch up.
Who will benefit the most from leadership training?
Preparing individuals to thrive in leadership roles is more challenging than ever before. Identifying who is poised for development and understanding their specific needs can be a daunting task. It requires a clear understanding of the criteria to assess and the methods to measure them.
We offer a free tool that will help you measure leadership development readiness - check it out here!
Who else will be in the room?
This is the best part! Rub shoulders with folks from all sorts of industries leading in all sorts of ways. We promise, no matter the mix, you will find common ground... and probably a friend or twelve along the way.
Is the one-on-one coaching enhancement worth it?
Honestly, it's a steal. Clearly, we're biased, but it would be unkind of us not to give you all the facts. This course is transformative on its own, but a downright powerhouse when combined with coaching. Here's why—no matter what we discuss in the classroom, there are always going to be intricacies to sort out in real life. (i.e. "Yeah, this sounds good... but probably won't work with Bill" or "That's easy to say, but they haven't seen the dynamic between Sue and Bev.") These coaching sessions allow us to get down to the nitty gritty so you can apply what you learn without a doubt. Plus, outside of Empowered Leader, individual coaching with us costs about 35% more!
What if I just want coaching, not the course?
We recognize that you may have unique or urgent needs and desire to skip the course and work directly with a coach. We offer that, too! Simply reach out, and we'll start the conversation about a personalized program.
What if I want to bring all the leaders in my organization?
First, this tells us that you're the kind of leader that makes things happen! We like that about you and would love to explore the possibility of hosting a private Empowered Leader course just for your people. Start the conversation here.
Testimonials
– Stacy
“. . . The content was excellent and well-presented. Interactive and engaging. A lot to learn, but spaced out well. I’ll continue using what I learned from these classes and my 1:1 coaching for years. As a new leader in my job, this was invaluable—but I think anyone at any level in their leadership career would benefit.”
– Chuck
“I took the Empowered Leader course last year, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn to grow effective teams and foster collaborative teamwork. It is absolutely a course where you will get out what you put in, and for me, it was a remarkably formative experience.”
– Corey
“This course has been incredibly impactful for me as a leader but also as a human! You truly get introduced to a visionary approach to leadership. . . I have found my ability to manage my work, my time, and my stress much improved! Can’t recommend enough.”
– Michelle
“. . . Having the opportunity to gather with other leaders to listen, learn, practice and apply the critical leadership topics with the cohort—and then with my team at work—has pushed me to be more aware, more curious, with others. AndI can’t stress enough how supportive and enriching the one-on-one coaching sessions have been, too—they are a key component of my growth on the leadership path.”
– Luke
I would push you to add the one-on-one sessions to complement your learning. This really helped me apply the learning to my personal situation and team. It was extremely helpful to have an amazing outside resource like Tara to stretch my personal and professional goals.”
– Melissa
I would recommend Thought Design to any company that is willing to invest in people showing up the best way they possibly can that maybe other leadership programs haven’t been able to draw out in them.
– Nicki
Knowing Thought Design is shaping and molding leaders gives me more hope than I can actually express. Thought Design is giving leaders tools to thrive and make a difference in the wilderness of today’s world at a time when many people can’t even see how the world and the challenges we face have shifted so dramatically. I have been through several leadership trainings in my career and was skeptical Empowered Leader would be much different, but I am so pleasantly surprised!
Ready? Let's get you enrolled!
The Empowered Leader program is broken into two 8-session parts, Empowered Leader I & II— you can purchase them together or separately. Important note: You must complete Empowered Leader I before enrolling in Empowered Leader II.
Can’t attend an in-person course? Learn about virtual Empowered Leader.
Empowered
Leader I Only
Enroll Now
Take part I of the program (24 in-person hours) with or without six sessions of one-on-one coaching.
Coaching Information
One-on-one coaching takes this course to a whole new level! Meet with your instructor between each session to get into the nitty-gritty of your particular circumstances.
Coaching booked with the Empowered Leader course is 35% less than if it's added after the course is over!
Upcoming Course Dates
The next Empowered Leader I course begins on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Join us at Thought Design as we meet on the first and third week of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a total of eight in-person sessions.
October 23, 2025
November 6, 2025
November 20, 2025
December 4, 2025
Note: The first session includes an interactive lunch in our culinary studio and will end at 1 p.m. instead of 12 p.m.
Save up to $550!
Get Both Parts—
Empowered Leader I & II
Enroll Now
Take parts I & II of the program (48 in-person hours) with or without twelve sessions of one-on-one coaching.
Coaching Information
One-on-one coaching takes this course to a whole new level! Meet with your instructor between each session to get into the nitty-gritty of your particular circumstances.
Coaching booked with the Empowered Leader course is 35% less than if it's added after the course is over!
Upcoming Course Dates
The next Empowered Leader I course begins on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Join us at Thought Design as we meet on the first and third week of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a total of eight in-person sessions.
October 23, 2025
November 6, 2025
November 20, 2025
December 4, 2025
Note: The first session includes an interactive lunch in our culinary studio and will end at 1 p.m. instead of 12 p.m.
You can schedule Empowered Leader II upon the completion of Empowered Leader I.
Empowered
Leader II Only
Enroll Now
Take part II of the program (24 in-person hours) with or without six sessions of one-on-one coaching.
Coaching Information
One-on-one coaching takes this course to a whole new level! Meet with your instructor between each session to get into the nitty-gritty of your particular circumstances.
Coaching booked with the Empowered Leader course is 35% less than if it's added after the course is over!
Upcoming Course Dates
The next Empowered Leader II course begins on October 8, 2025.
Join us at Thought Design as we meet on the second and fourth week of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a total of eight in-person sessions.
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October 8, 2025
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October 22, 2025
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November 5, 2025
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November 19, 2025
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December 3, 2025
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December 17, 2025
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January 7, 2026
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January 21, 2026
Note: The final session includes an interactive lunch in our culinary studio and will end a 1 p.m. instead of 12 p.m.
All leadership coaching, no course.
There are some instances where skipping the Empowered Leader program and moving right into one-on-one leadership coaching with one of our seasoned coaches makes more sense. For example:
You’ve already completed the Empowered Leader program
Your circumstances are unique or especially sensitive in nature
You have a need that requires urgent attention
If one of these sounds like you, let’s talk.
Simply click “Start the Conversation” to grab a time on our calendar and see if we’re a fit.